"While ERISA continues to preempt certain state regulation of private employers' group health plans, some state reporting requirements for group health plan sponsors have moved forward.... Some reports due in 2022 for the 2021 coverage year will follow the same schedule as the IRS deadlines to file federal Forms 1094/1095. Some jurisdictions have indicated they will accept the federal forms that group health plan sponsors or other MEC providers must send to IRS and won't require duplicative statements to residents."  MORE >>

"Facilities may be subject to enforcement action for failure to maintain 100% compliance with the CMS COVID-19 Vaccine standards after March 28, 2022, for Group 1 States, after April 14, 2022, for Group 2 States, or after April 18, 2022, for Texas.... CMS indicated that non-compliance does not necessarily lead to termination, and facilities will have opportunities to get back into compliance."  MORE >>

"[The Second 'No Surprises Act' (NSA) Rules] have sparked a series of federal lawsuits against these agencies ... brought by providers, hospitals, and medical associations alleging that the Rules unlawfully create advantages to the payors that were not intended by the NSA.... Here is an overview of how the NSA claims submission process works and, if necessary, how the IDR process works."  MORE >>

"At this time, about half of the insurers reviewed are implementing their testing coverage policy using only reimbursement.... The remaining half of the top insurers had a direct coverage option set up ... Enrollees in plans with a direct coverage option may have reimbursement limited to $12 per test if a test is purchased outside of this option."  MORE >>

"[L]aws governing traditional Medicare don't provide for coverage of self-administered diagnostic tests, which is precisely what the rapid antigen tests are.... Medicare patients are left to seek free tests other ways ... The Medicare program does cover rapid antigen or PCR testing done by a lab without charging beneficiaries, but there's a hitch: It's limited to one test per year unless someone has a doctor's order."  MORE >>

"Determine whether the plan qualifies for an ERISA Section 103(a)(c)(3) audit.... Be prepared for additional information requests.... Be open to additional audit feedback for ways to strengthen your plan."  MORE >>

"[1] More ESG (environment, social and governance) investment options in workplace savings plans.... [2] Addition of retirement income options as a part of a workplace savings plans.... [3] 'Dependent-related benefits' that provide a range of caregiving support, spanning from daycare to elder care.... [4] Helping employees create an emergency savings fund to address financial emergencies.... [5] Student debt repayment options."  MORE >>